Stamford, CT - The Women's Business Development Council has received a $25,000 grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF) to support WBDC’s Entrepreneurial Training, Financial Education and Professional Development Training Programs. Specifically, the funds will support programs and services to ensure that area women receive the training they need to launch or grow a small business, develop sound financial habits and enter or re-enter the workforce.
WBDC has seen an increasing demand for its services since the recession began in 2007. Since that time, the number of clients served by WBDC has grown at a rate of 10% annually. Last year WBDC helped 120 women launch a business, 230 find employment, and 251 increase their financial stability.
“Entrepreneurship and small businesses are at the heart of the road to recovery for Fairfield County,” said Karen Brown, Vice President of Programs. “WBDC’s programs and services provide women with ambition with the tools and training they need to be successful in business and help spur the local and regional economy.”
This grant allows the agency to meet the needs of this population who are primarily low income women coming to WBDC to receive entrepreneurial training, gain control of their finances and achieve their professional career goals.
“WBDC is both pleased and proud to receive this grant from FCCF to support its entrepreneurial, financial and professional training programs for women and men too. WBDC has become a Mecca for women seeking economic self-reliance in Fairfield County. “In a community where income disparity remains great and job creation is marginal, the need for WBDC services clearly exists,” says Fran Pastore, CEO of WBDC.
In 2011 WBDC served over 1300 clients, men and women from all walks of life. Regardless of socio-economic backgrounds. Pastore points out that WBDC clients all possess the same goals; autonomy, flexibility and the ability to be their own boss and control their own financial future.
WBDC is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women become economically self-sufficient. WBDC is the leader of entrepreneurial and financial training for women in Connecticut and has been educating, empowering and promoting women through entrepreneurship, financial education and expanded career opportunities for nearly 15 years. For more information please visit www.ctwbdc.org or call 203-353-1750.
